Beam bending machine



April 1944f H. E. NEVERDAL 2,347,575

BEAM BENDING MACHINE Filed April 22, 1942 s Sheets-Sheet 1 3nvcntor zro/J A evera a/ V dttomcu A n'l 25, 1944.

H. E. NEVERDAL ,347,575

BEAM BENDING MACHINE Filed A ril 22 1942 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 attorney April 25, 1944. H. E. NEVERDAL BEAM BENDING MACHINE Filed April 22, 1942 6 Sheets-Sheet Isrm'entor //d/'o/a/ 15 fiveraa/ I Qttorneg P 1944. H. E. NEVERDAL 2,347,575

BEAM BENDING MACHINE FiledApril 22,1942 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 l as I 3m ent r 4/ am ever a ttorneg By I 4. 76),?

April 1944- H. E. NEVERDAL BEAM BENDING MACHINE Filed A ril 22, 1942 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 Will/m SmwI Itor 2 l /ara/a Z? Neverda/ (Tirol-neg April H. E. NEVERDAL I 2,347,575

I BEAM BENDING MACHINE Filed April 22, 1942 esneets-sneet e 3 nventor Gttomcg Patented Apr. 25, 1944 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE BEAM BENDING MACHINE Harold E. Neverdal, Tacoma, Wash.

Application April 22, 1942, Serial No. 439,988

23 Claims.

This invention relates to machines for bending rolled steel beams and has special reference to such beams as are intended for use in ship building, such as ribs and deck beams.

The objects of the invention are to provide a means for simultaneously and complementarily giving the right and left ribs, or other beams, the same longitudinal curvature, and also the same angular bend of the short legs thereof; means for holding said ribs or beams -in the machine; means for applying the bending force at spaced intervals therealong; means for permitting the rib or beams to slide longitudinally in said bending means to compensate for the bending thereof; means for controlling the extent of the bending at all points therein; means for operating each controlling means; and means for automatically controlling all said operating means from a single control matrix. Further objects are to save time, labor, and floor space usually required in obtaining the several shaped ribs; or other beams, of a ship, and thereby to reduce the cost of ship construction.

I attain these and other objects, as will appear to those skilled in the art as the description of my machine proceeds, by the devices, mechanisms, and arrangements illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which Fig. 1 is a fractional diagrammatic front elevation of my improved bending machine having completed the bending of a pair of bulb beams; Fig. 2 is a similar side elevation thereof; Fig. 3 is a diagrammatic view showing the connections between the bending machine and the control panel; Fig. 4 is a diagrammatic view showing the wiring of the automatic control of thebending machine from the control panel; Fig. 5 is across-section of the upper end of one of the bending elements of my machine; Fig. 6 is a front elevation thereof; Fig. '7 is a section thereof, taken on the line 1-1 in Fig. 6; Fig. 8 is an enlargement of a portion of Fig. 7; Fig. 9 is a plan view of the upper end of one of the bending elements; Fig. 10 is a section of-one of said elements, taken on the line lll--lfl in Fig. 11 and showing the adjustable 'stop in plan view; Fig. 11 is a section taken on the line Il-H in Fig. 10, of a portion of the fixed guide beam and of the adjustable stop thereon, showing the sliding beam approaching the said stop; Fig. 12 is a diagrammatic representation of the cam adjusting means; Fig. 13 is a similar view'of the stopscrew operating means; Fig. 14 is a side view of the means for clamping the bulb me'ans against longitudinal motion at one station in thebending machine; and Fig. 15 is a front view of a portion of the control panel in the ofiice, during the time that the several motors are raising or lowering all the adjustable stops in the bending machine.

Similar numerals of reference refer to similar parts throughout the several views. 7

It is evident that the skin of a ship, at substantially every point in its area, lies in constantly changing planes and that corresponding points on opposite sides of the vessel lie in coniplementary planes, that is to say, in planes having equal but reversed angles in respect to the longitudina1 and horizontal axes of the ship. The ribs lie in planes at right-angles to the longitudinal axis of the ship and of the keel to which they are attached. The side of the ship, at any plane in which' a rib lies, will make varying angles to the plane of the rib,'from point to point in the rib, except at such midship stations where the sides are parallel and the bottom horizontal, at which places the planes of the ribs lie at right-angles to the planes of the sides and bottom, but if the sides are converging while the bottom may still remain fiat, the angle between the side and the plane of the rib will change from point to point in accordance with the design of the ship. It is also evident that the cross-sectional outline of the shipwill, in general, vary with the design of theship, but that the right and left ribs, at any such station, will be similar but complementary, the one to the other, and also that the short leg of each such rib will be bent from its normal position at right angles to the web of the rib, to lie fiat on the skin-at everypart thereof, in accordance with the change of angle which the skin of the ship makes with the cross-sectional plane of the ship in which the particular rib lies. p

Therefore, in fashioning the ribs of a ship, it is necessary to bend them so that the outline or form of the rib, as viewed in the direction of the axis of the ship, will correspond with the cross section of theshi'p at thatstation, andfurther, that the angle between 'the plane of the rib web and the outer side of the short leg shall vary in accordance wit'lr-the designed angle'which the skin makesf-fronffpo'int to point, with the plane of the rib} angle isalways either a right angleor an obtuse angle. g

The problem; then, of providing a machine for preparing a pair of complementary ribs for a ship, is'ftosobendflthe ribs that they form the same andthgcorrectshape for; that particular pairand that the short-legs of said ribs be bent equally at all corresponding points in said outline, but difierently from point to point in said outline, in accordance with the ship design. Furthermore, it is an expensive matter to make full size templates for each pair of ribs and to lay out the change of angle of the short legs thereof from point to point.

In order to simplify the work and reduce the at d an l an include u b e a paratus fo p a i th beams in t end n mah ne n for a d in th m a emo n them after they have been bent by the machine, but these parts are illustrated without detail herein asth o no a t o t e res n i en ion- Referring, now, to the drawings, it will be seen that an elevated furnace ,I (Fig. 2), is provided to heat the beams which it is desired to bend, and h t Said fur a is onveniently ma some: what longer than the longest beam to be treated her n h s urna e o ens. on eyo c a 2 ea g h ei om, an adabtcd o e er tw f he s i b ams 3, in v r e s tion o the t o e nd n mac ne- I ef r o m u he i hace I d the h n t h top of a suitab tr u W se verti a si e t the ed o th cohv 2 o ms the sup rti str ttx i t o h main pe toi this imp e ben i g m chin v t suit l pa n a ne the en i e f o t su p rt ng st h ure I mo t s r es of vtr tal l-b am 5 (Fla a n th r st .iF ar l l w t the face o aid sup i strh tur '4, and. permanentl sec r d t re o- T fhgs cih qitheseI-beams may c v i n y be bou wo-to t center Eath o these e eam rm es ide o the end n h n mtt thism t 91 tat o n. s h rtlthis be din ni tha m o i es I at eathfstati a a vet ita y s din r tam 1, i ed n ve ti l mo emen by the a red b m 5 w h when ii t wiat d an ad of w c et hs hle two ea d b lbn t ms 3 by her na e dtttri e i te th SQ t he i h C s id i t llPPQI F during he b i i p ra ion, by the aiQ beams 31- h vertically sliding beams l are each permitted to pass downward, under the action'ofgravity, dr agging the beams 3 with them until the lower ends of each successively rest on the respective stop plates 8, whose positions have been automatically adjusted to suit the amount of bend which is to h gi en o the lb eam 3 at th t on (F l. A the ad of h ver ica i n b a is Pr vided wi h. meah to b nd the Short es of the said beams 3, in complementary manner equal degree, said mechanism, which is also operated by the weight or the moving parts, is controlled by the position of an inclined plane surface 9 (Figs. 10, 11) mounted on the said stop plate B. The said angle bending means engages plate 8, so that the full weight of the moving parts is applied to the bending of the beams 3 and to their short legs, just before such bending ceases.

An operating ofiice I0 (Fig. 2) may be constructed at any convenient place, and a control panel H is set up therein, said control panel having a removable designed pattern or matrix l2 secured thereto.

The control panel ll is provided with a series of indicating means, one for each station of the bending machine, and each adapted to show the relative position of the corresponding stop plate 8. of the bending machine, at all times, the motion of the said indicating means being in exact proportion to the motion of the stop plate 8 in the guide beam 5, as hereinafter described.

' The motion of the stop plate 8 is caused by the running of a motor l3 (Figs. 3, 4, l3) The main electric circuit supplying the power for the motors l3 passes through a reversible switch 14, in th e s lit and s prov d d th ea irqui s it ea h o which onne ts i t e ev h t mo or 1 3 h ou h a ma netic ll b th relay sw 15.- he re ay ma et l i sterz d t p n h swi ch. W when th su ab energized relay circuit it is closed by contact o he indicating means w th i h o h wo u terminals 11K 29. mount d Q the mat e? an t h o m o the Pan resp iv lylhus it will be seen that when the indicating means of any station engages the matrix-held terminals [9 to close the circuit IS, the magnet I! will open the switch l6 and thus breal; the branch circuit l5 and stop the motor I3 and the motion th 9PI 2la Q3- nd hi s P ate 8 is held in such pgsition until the motor I3 is s d b he eh 4 and th SW Qhs closed, when it wil-ldescend and the indicating means in the o-iiice panel I! will also proper:

tionately descend. When the indicating means reaches the lower end oiits travel in the panel, it contacts the terminals 25, thus similarly breaking the circuit l5 and stopping the corresponding motor when the stop. plate 8 is at the lower end of its permitted travel.

Similarly the said panel- H is provided with sui b in atin mt lhstt etths a n t e eqa which may be manually set and which are each connected he orres on in ab ment on inclined cam surfaces Q (Figs. 3, 11, 12) so that each such surface 9 may be properly and individually adjusted to cause the short legs of both i h teams 3 in the m th he t be b t t he s d angle a etiq s a i n h n h bending of said bean- 3 has been completed.

. Th p a d m ti e it a l he. sl d teams. 1 n h s h n is ta ed b a ydtaul-ic i t (Figs; 1, Q ,2 qomh itih S i-table c inder 21,, raising or lowering a cross beam 22 which i h q td e ti all nd r he o t por ions f all f h t ta r l n be m. 1 asito engage. m a nd y t 59 s t mi en a eme t with e t r e ges of th Severa stop p a s. 8- hi hyd auli l t. s no illustrated in e a l he n t i ada te o r ise all th b m I simultaneously until; their. heads lie in the Po i n att 0 motive; th hot bulb. am 3 to be bent. Then, after the beams 3 have. been Prop y ated in thesaidhea s, the hold-down trolley wheels 56 on each head are applied there;- 0 in such manner that the said beams I hang from the upper angles of the right and left bulb beams. 3. When the placing of the beams 3 in all-the h a s has een completed, the hyd u i lit-t beam '4? is; low red untilfthe. high'estf stop plate 3 is engaged by the corresponding sliding beam 1.

before each of the hanging beams I reaches its stop plate 8, the short leg bending apparatus comes into action by engagement with the adjusted cam surface 9 on the said stop plate 8, thus applying the weight of the beam 1 thereto to bend the said short legs to the desired obtuse .angles.

The motor I3 is provided with a worm (Fig. 13) on its shaft, said worm rotating a worm wheel 23. This Worm wheel 23 is mounted on'the lower end of a long vertical screw-threaded shaft 24 which is mounted in suitable bearings supported by the fixed beam 5. The screw thread 25 of ,each shaft 24 is preferably square in form. The stop plate 8 (Figs. 10, 11) is carried by a long nut 23, integral therewith, through which the screw 25'is threaded. The stop plate 8 cannot turn with the turning of the shaft 24, being held from turning by the hereinafter described cam con- .trol shaft 21, and therefore the nut 26, with the plate 8, travels up or down in the fixed beam with the turning of the shaft 24. The stop plate 8 extends out from the said fixed beam 5 a distance sufiicient to engage under about one-half of the sliding beam 1.

The sliding beam 'l' is preferably of the same size as is the fixed beam 5. The length of the beam 7 is such that, if it travels down to its lowest position on the beam 5, its head will then be positioned below its uppermost position a distance greater than the maximum bend required for the ships ribs, and the length of the fixed beam 5 exceeds that of the sliding beam 1 by such maximum travel distance. The sliding beam 7 is guided in its vertical travel by wheeled yokes secured thereto and engaging the flange edges of the fixed beam'Ei. The yokcs 28 (Figs. 5, 9-11) are secured to the outer surfaces of the flanges of the sliding beam 1 and extend horizontally out therefrom towards the fixed beam 5, being bent at their outer ends to form hooks 29 in-whioh the outer flanged guide wheels 30 are mounted. Short pieces 3| are fastened to the inner sides of the flanges of the beams 1 to form, with the yokes 23, the mounting for theinner flanged wheels 32. These wheels 33 and 32 engage the outer and inner edges of the flanges" of the fixed beam 5 on each side and thus guide the movement of the sliding beam 1 vertically and hold it from any other movement. These yokes are preferably mounted near the top and .bottom ends of the sliding beam I.

Referring, now, particularly to Figs. 5-9 showing the upper end of one of the sliding beams I, it will be seen that the head of each sliding beam 1 comprises a vertical plate 33 welded to a head plate 34,'which is removably secured by means of bolts 35 to a' plate 33 which is welded to the top of the beam 1. The head 33 is adapted to receive the two beams 3 to be bent, said beams 3 being in reversed or right-left positions, with their short legs 31 lying above the head'33 and pointing towards each other, and with their webs lying along the vertical edges of the head 33 and in the edges of the head 33., A set of heads 33 are made for each section or shape of the beams 3, and these heads are changed for each change insize of the said bulb beams 3 by unscrewing the bolts 35 and substituting a new head on each beam 7. A pair of vertical rollers 40 are mounted in the edges of each of the heads 33 and are adapted to engage the inner surfaces of the webs 4| of the two beams 3.

The beams 3 are looked in place on each of the heads 33 by means of rollers 42 carried by two large lever arms 43, cooperating with the above described rollers 40. The levers 33 are clamped in such position as to hold the webs 5! of-the beams 3 firmly between the two pairs of rollers 40 and 42. These levers 43 are bent in under the plate 35 of the beam 1, and are with the bulbs 33 lying in prepared recesses '39 secured thereto by means of pivot pins 44 whereby they are permitted to swing outward from such clamping position in order to permit the two beams 3 to be lowered into position'in the head 33.

The locking of the arms or clamping levers G3 is accomplished by means of toggle links 45 (Fig. 5) connected to each other an'd'to the short arms 46 of the said clamping levers 33, in such manner that, when the levers 43' are in clamping position, the toggle links 35 connecting the arms 46 are at or slightly below dead center. A slot 4! is made in the web 43 of the beam 1, through which the said links 45 freely pass. An operating rod 49 is connected to the two links 45 at their knuckle joint and passes downward therefrom. When the links 45 are at or slightly below dead center the rod 49 rests on the bottom of the slot 4'? and prevent further downward movement of the links 35, thus locking the levers :33 in their closed position. This operating rod 49is offset at 53 and passes into the solenoid 51, secured to the side of the web 48, and forms the core thereof. The lower end of the rod 49 is engaged by a spring 52, which may be mounted within the solenoid 5|, and which presses said rod 49 upward as soon as the electro-magnetio action of the solenoid H is released' thereby pushing the knuckle of the toggle links 65 up.- ward and releasing their locking action on the levers 43, which promptly fall outward under the action of gravity, since the pivots 44 are placed inward from the centers of gravity of the released levers 43. The knuckle joint of the toggle links 35 engages the upper end of the slot 41 to limit the opening motion of the levers 33. The operation of all the solenoids 5! is controlled by suitable electric circuits, not shown herein, and preferably operated from the ofi'lce l3.

Thus it will be seen that as soon as the beams 3 are both in place in the several beam heads 33, the solenoids 5! are energized. thus drawing the rods 49 downward, compressing the springs 52 and forcing the short arms #56 outward and clamping the levers 43 inward.

One of the sliding beams l is provided with a head which does not permit the beams 3 to slide therein, but clamps them in fixed longitudinal position. This head may usually be on the sliding beam '1 which first engages the stop plate 8, as above described. The purpose of this clamping the beams 3 is to provide a reference point from which definite measurements may be made. The extent of the sliding ofthe beams 3 in the other heads will, in general, vary somewhat with the distance fromsuch anchoredpcin't. In this case itlwill be seen that the"rollers' at and 42' have been omitted (Fig. 14). A pair of clamping trolley plates 53 are mounted on pivots 54 which extend inward from the upper ends of the above described levers 33. These trolleys 53' engage the upper edges of the beams 3. When the beam 7 is not supported either by the lift beam 2! or by the stop plate 8, it hangs on the two beams 3 by means of said trolley clamping plates 53.

Each of the other sliding beams l is provided with the above described clamping rollers 49 and 52 which permit a longitudinal sliding of the beams 3 in the respective heads 33. Also the pivots 53, at the upper ends of the levers 43, are provided with trolley plates 55 on the ends of which are mounted two wheels 56 which ride on the upper edges of the beams 3 and which permit the said beams 3 to slide longitudinally thereunder.

The length of the trolleys 55 is such as to evenly divide the spaces between the wheels 56, which may well be about twelve inches apart. When the several beams I are not supported either by the lift beam 22 or by the respective stop plates 8, they are supported by the hot beams 3 through the wheels 56, trolleys 55 and pivots 54, thus causing the hot beams 3 to bend under the weight of the sliding beams 1.

When the lift beam 22 begins to be lowered,

all the beams 1, together with the hot beams 3 secured therein, are lowered until one such beam 1 is stopped in its downward travel by its engagement with the highest stop plate 8. Then the weight of all the other beams l, and 3, is carried by said stop plate 8 so that the beams 3 are bent at such station. As the second such beam 1 reaches its stop plate 8 the bending of the beams 3 ceases at the first stopped station but continues at the second station until the next or third succeeding beam has reached its stop plate. And so forth until the entire length of the hot beams 3 has been bent to the desired shape. It will be noted that the trolleys 55 turn on the pivots 54 to adjust themselves to the angle of the bent beams 3, and that the beams 3 slide under the wheels 56, 49 and 42 to compensate for the increased length between the stations as they are bent.

Referring now to the mechanism for bending the short legs 3'! to the required obtuse angles. As seen in Fig. 5 each head 33 is provided with a pair of levers 57 pivoted thereto at 58 close under the inside corners of the two bulb beams 3. These levers 5'! lie under the short legs 31 and extend past the central line of the head 33. Each said lever 51 is engaged by and adapted to be forced upward at the central line by means of a short compression bar 59, mounted in suitable straps 60 secured to the head 33.

The lower end of this bar 59 rests in a socket 6| formed on the upper end of a long compression bar 62. The purpose of so mounting the bar 59 in the socket G! is to enable the head 33 to be removed from the beam 1 without having to disengage the bar 59 from the above described levers 51 at each head. The bar 52 is mounted in suitable straps 33 secured to the Web 48 of the beam 1.

Referring,now, to Fig. 11, in which the bar operating means is illustrated, it will be seen that the circular cam block 54 is slidably mounted on the hexagonal shaft 21 and rotatably mounted on the stop plate 8. The upper surface 9 of the cam block 34 is inclined upward from its lowest point and is adapted to be engaged by the foot B5 of the bar 62. An antifriction wheel 66 may be mounted on the end of the bar 62 to bear against the web 48 of the beam 1. The bar 62 is prevented from excess downward movement in the straps 63 by means of a stop lug 51 engaging one of the said straps. The distancethat the foot 65 is above the lowest line of the beam 1 is equal to the distance that the lowest point in the cam surface 9 is above the upper surface of the stop plate 8, so that when the beam 1 is brought to rest on the plate 8, the foot 65 will not raise the bar 62 if the cam block 64 has been turned to bring the lowest point in the inclined surface 9 in line for engagement by the foot 65, with the result that no movement of the bar 62 is made and therefore there is no movement of the bar 59 or of the levers 51, and the short legs 3'! of the beams 3 remain in their original positions at right angles to the webs M thereof.

But if the shaft 2! has been turned, as hereinafter described, to bring a higher part of the inclined surface 9 into position to be engaged by the foot 55 of the descending bar 62, such engagement will occur before the beam 1 has reached the stop plate 3, and therefore there will be a relative movement of the bar 62 upward on the web 48 of the beam 1, resulting in an upward movement of the bar 59 and of the inner ends of the levers 57, turning them on their pivots 53, and forcing the short legs 3'! upward at a determined obtuse angle, said angle being dependent on the point of engagement of the foot 65 on the inclined surface 9.

The positions of all the cam blocks 64 are controlled from the control panel 5 I, in the office ID, as follows: Referring to Figs. 3, 12 and 15, it will be seen that each station on the control panel is provided with a rotatable handle 58 adapted to turn the screw 69. The screw 69 passes into a cylinder 19 and forces a piston ll along the said cylinder. The far end of the cylinder 10 is filled with oil, or other suitable liquid, and is open to a pipe l2 leading to a larger cylinder 13 at the bending machine. This cylinder 53 has a piston M therein. The pipe 72 and the near end of the cylinder 13 are filled with oil and are in free communication with the oil-filled end of the plates 8 from the control panel H is accomplished in the following manner.

The motor l3 turns the screw shaft 24 by means of the worm and worm wheel 23 (Figs. 3, 13). A bevel gear 18 is mounted on the shaft 24 and meshes with a bevel gear 19 on the horizontal shaft 33. This shaft is screw-threaded and moves a nut 8i therealong. This nut 8! is connected by a rod 82 with a piston 83 in a cylinder 84. The cylinder 84 is connected by a pipe 85 with a vertical cylinder 83 which is positioned as a part of the panel I! and in proper relation to its corresponding cylinders 83 of the other stations of the bending machine. Oil, or other suitable liquid fills the pipe 85 and the adjacent parts of the cylinders 84 and 86. A piston 81 is mounted in the cylinder 86 and moves freely therein. An indicator rod 88 passes upward from the piston 91 and canries a head 89 thereon, said head 89 traveling up or down in the slot 90in thepanel' II. I l

The panel I l, in the oflice l0, comprisesa front board 9| (Fig. in which a series of vertical- The panel II has a patternor matrix 12 removably secured thereto, said matrix 'being'of designed shape corresponding with the desired amount of bending of the ribs 3 at each particular station. The matrix I2 is provided at each station therein with a pair of plug terminals l9,"normallyout of contact witheach other but adapted to make contact when engaged by the above described adjustable point'92. The wires 93 forming a partof the respective relay circuits l8, lead fromthe'plug terminals I9-to the respective re lay magnets l1 and the battery, or other'source of electric energy, respectively, which-said parts may be mounted in'the panel H or at any other suitable point. I 1

The terminals?!) at the lower end of the several slots 90 are permanently fixed in position andually controlling the extentor angle of bend intheshort' legs of said bent beams. Also it will be seen that such a machine is of simpleconstruction and operation and that it will perform its work quickly and accurately. 7

It is to be understood that, while I have illustrated and described what I conceive to be the best and most practical embodiment of my invention, it is obvious that many changes-and variations may be made in the details of construction thereof without departing from my in vention as expressed in the appended claims. As instances of a few of suchpossible variations I might state that the hydraulic lift may bere placed, by a mechanically operated lift; that the hydraulic connection between the individual stop plates and thecorresponding indicator heads in the office may be replaced by a mechanical con nection; that, the rotary adjustment of the inclined planes may be replaced by a longitudinal adjustment thereof, and so forth, as may be desired by the firm building or operating the said bending machine; and I' Wishit to be understood that my invention is not to be limited to'the specific form or arrangement of. parts'herein' described and illustratedor. specifically covered by my appended claims.

Having, therefore, described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is: 1. In a bending. machine for hot beams, the combination of a plurality of fixed vertical guide beams; stop plates adjustably supported thereon; a plurality of vertically sliding beams, each guided in vertical movement by its corresponding fixed beam, and adapted to be stopped by contact with said stop plate; and suspending means mounted on the head of each of said sliding hot beams to be bent whereby, as said sliding beams pass downward on said guide beams and successively engage said stop plates, said hot beams are bent to the form determined by the adjusted positions of said stop plates.

2. A bending machine as set forth in claim 1, wherein said suspending means, on one said sliding beam head, secures said hot beams against-- longitudinal motion therein; nd wherein the suspending means, on each of the other sliding beams, permits a longitudinal motion of the hot beams therein, whereby compensation for the bending of the hot beams is provided withoutpermitting lateral motion of the sliding beams.

3. A bending machine as set forth in claim 1, wherein said suspending means is pivotally mounted on the head of each said sliding beam,

and is adapted to swing on its pivot to adjust itself relatively to the sliding beam in accordance j with the angle of the sliding beam to the hot bent beams at each station.

4. A bending machine as set forth in claim 1,-

Wherein said suspending means comprises a pair of trolley plates pivotally mounted on the head of each of said siiding beams, and each adapted to swing on its pivot to adjust itself to the angle of bend of the hot beam, and wherein each said trolley plate is provided with wheels whereby said hot beams may slide under said suspending means to compensate for the change in length between stations by the bending of said hot beams.

5. In a hot beam bending machine, the combination with a guided sliding beam; of a head thereto operatively engaging the hot beam to be bent; a clamping lever mounted on said sliding beam adjacent the side of the hot beam to be bent; and rollers mounted in the head and in the clamping lever and respectively engaging the two sides of the hot beam, whereby longitudinal motion of the hot beam is permitted past said head and said clamping lever.

B. In a hot beam bending machine, the combination with a guided sliding beam; of a head thereto operatively engaging the hot beam to be bent; a clamping lever mounted on the sliding beam adjacent the side of the hot beam and extending above the hot beam; rollers mounted in the head and in the clamping lever and respectively engaging the two sides of the hot beam; a trolley plate pivotally secured to the upper end of the clamping lever and extending over the hot beam; and wheels mounted on the ends of said trolley plate and engaging the upper surface of said hot beam.

7. In a hot beam bending machine, the combination of a guided sliding beam; of ahead thereto operatively engaging the hot beam to be bent; a clamping lever pivotally mounted on said sliding beam and lying adjacent the side of the hot beam and adapted to clamp the hot beam to the head; a toggle link mechanism adapted to lock said clamp lever in clamping position; and electro-magnetic means adapted to move said toggle mechanism into locking position.

8. In a not beam bending machine, the combination of a guided sliding beam; of a head thereto operatively engaging the hot beam to be bent; a clamping lever pivotally mounted on said sliding beam and lying adjacent the side of the hot beam and adapted to clamp the hot beam to the head; a toggle link mechanism adapted to lock said clamp lever in clamping position; electip-magnetic means adapted to inove said toggle mechanism into locking position; and spring beams and adapted to connect said head to the means adapted to throw said toggle mechanism out of locking position upon the release of said electro-magnetic means.

9. In a hot beam bending machine, the combination of a plurality of fixed vertical guide beams; stop plates supported thereon; screws for independently adjusting the positions of each of said stop plates on said fixed beams; separate electric motors with mechanism driven thereby for operating ea h said screw; and. automatic means operated y said motor-driven mechanism, whereby said electric motor is stopped when said stop plate'has been moved to the desired adjusted position.

10. In a hot beam bending machine, the combination of a plurality of fixed vertical guide beams; stop plates supported thereon; screws for independently adjusting the positions of each of said stop plates on said fixed beams; separate electric motors with mechanism driven thereby for operating each said screw; a control panel; a

plurality of indicating means on said control panel, each corresponding with one of said stop plates; means connecting each of said stop-p1ate adjusting screws with its corresponding indicating means on the panel, whereby said indicating means is moved in proportion as said stop plate moved; a matrix mounted on said control panel and crossing the paths of said separate indicating means; and separate energized electric control circuits, each adapted to ,be closed by each said indicating means when the indicating means engages the matrix, whereby the corresponding electric motor is stopped.

11. In a hot beam bending machine, the combination of a plurality of fixed vertical guide beams; stop plates supported thereon; separate screws for independently adjusting the positions of each of said stop plates on said fixed beams; separate electric motors with mechanism driven thereby for operating each said screw; a control panel; a plurality of indicating means on said control panel, each corresponding with one of said stop plates; means connecting each of said stop-plate-adjusting screws with its corresponding indicating means on the panel, whereby said indicating means is moved in proportion as said stop plate is moved; a matrix mounted on said control panel and crossing the paths of said separate indicating means; an energized electric relay circuit for each of said indicating means; terminals in each said relay circuit, normally breaking said circuit, and adapted to be engaged by said indicating means to close said relay circuit when the indicating means engages said terminals; and a relay magnetic switch in each said relay circuit and controlling each said electric motor and adapted to open said switch when said relay circuit is closed.

12. In a hot beam bending machine, the com bination of a plurality of fixed vertical guide beams; stop plates supported thereon; separate screws for adjusting the positions of each of said stop plates on said fixed beams; a plurality of vertically sliding beams, each guided in its vertical movement by its corresponding fixed beam, and adapted to engage and be stopped by its corresponding stop plate; means to secure the hot beams in the heads of the several sliding .nism driven thereby, for operating each said at each station,

screw; and automatic means, operated by said motor-driven mechanism, whereby each of said motors is stopped when said stop plate has been moved to the desired adjusted position.

13. In a hot beam bending machine, the combination with a series of separate means adapted for gripping the beams to be bent and each adapted to move in parallel lines; separate stop plates mounted in the paths of each of said moving gripping means and adapted to stop its motion; screws for adjusting the positions of each of said stop plates; separate energized electric motors adapted to operate each said screw; a control panel; a series of indicating means on said control panel, each corresponding with one of said stop plates; means connecting each of said stop plate adjusting screws with its corresponding indicating means, whereby said indicating means is moved in proportion as said stop plates are moved; a matrix mounted on said control panel and crossing the paths of each of said indicating means; an energized electric relay circuit for each of said indicating means; terminals in each of said relay circuits, normally breaking said circuits, and adapted to be engaged by the corresponding indicating means to close said relay circuit when said indicating means engages said terminals; and a relay magnetic switch in each said relay circuit and controlling each saidelectric motor and operated to open said switch to stop its motor when said relay circuit is closed.

14. In a bending machine for the short legs of hotbeams, the combination of a plurality of fixed vertical guide beams; stop plates adjustably supported thereon; an inclined plane supported on each said stop plate; a plurality of vertically sliding beams, each guided in its vertical movement by its corresponding fixed beam and adapted to be stopped by engagement with said stop plate thereon; a head at the upper end of each said sliding beam and adapted to secure the hot beam therein; a lever pivoted to the upper part of each said head and lying under the short leg to be bent; and a bar mounted on said sliding beam and engaging said lever, and extending to the lower end of said sliding beam, and adapted to engage said inclined plane before the sliding beam engages the stop plate, whereby the bar is forced relatively upward to raise the lever and to bend the shortleg of the hot beam as the sliding beam passes downward to said stop plate.

15. In a bending machine for the short legs of hot beams, the'combination of a plurality of fixed vertical guide beams; stop plates adjustably supported thereon; an inclined plane supported on each stop plate; a plurality of vertically sliding beams, each guided in its vertical movement by its corresponding fixed beam and adapted to be stopped by engagement with said stop plate thereon; a head at the upper end of each said sliding beam and adapted to secure the hot beam therein; a lever pivoted to the upper part of each said head and lying under the short leg to be bent; a bar mounted on said sliding beam and engaging said lever, and extending to the lower end of said sliding beam, and adapted to engage the inclined plane before the sliding beam engages the stop plate, whereby the bar is forced relatively upward to raise the lever and to bend the short leg of the hot beam as the sliding beam passes downward to said stop plate; and separate means adapted to adjust each said inclined plane, whereby the extent of bending of said short leg,

is controlled.

16. A bending machine as set forth in claim 15, wherein the head of said sliding beam is removable; and wherein said bar is composed of two separate lengths connected together by a socket, the joint between said lengths being substantially near the joint between the sliding beam and its head.

17. A bending machine as set forth in claim 15, wherein each said inclined plane is composed of a block rotatably mounted on the stop plate and having its upper surface inclined; and wherein each said adjusting means comprises a rotatable shaft, whereon said block has a sliding connection but rotates therewith and may be adjusted by turning the said shaft.

18. In a bending machine for the short legs of hot beams, the combination of a plurality of separate sliding beams adapted to move in parallel lines; stop plates mounted in the paths of each said sliding beam and adapted to stop its movement; an inclined plane supported on each-stop plate; a head at the end of each said sliding beam and adapted to secure two hot beams in reversed positions therein; a pair of levers pivoted to the upper part of each said head and respectively lying under the two short legs to be bent; and a bar mounted on each said sliding beam and engaging both said levers to move their free ends equally upward, and extending to the lower end of said sliding beam, and adapted r:

to engage the inclined plane before the sliding beam engages the stop plate, whereby the bar is forced relatively upward to raise both said levers equally and to bend the short legs of both said hot beams as the sliding beam passes downward to engage said stop plate.

19. In a bending machine for the short legs of hot beams, the combination of a plurality of separate sliding beams, each adapted to move in parallel lines; stop plates mounted in the path of each of said sliding beams and adapted to stop its movement; a cam block rotatably mounted on each said stop plate, and having an inclined upper surface; a head at the upper end of each said sliding beam and adapted to secure the hot beam therein; a lever pivoted to the upper part of each said head and lying under the short leg to be bent; a bar mounted on each said sliding beam and engaging said lever, and extending to the lower end of said sliding beam, and adapted to engage the inclined surface of said cam block before the sliding beam engages the stop plate, to force said bar relatively upward and raise said lever and bend the short leg; and means to rotate said cam block thereby to adjust the point of contact therewith of said bar, to control the extent of bending of said short leg.

20. A bending machine as set forth in claim 19, wherein said means to adjust the cam block comprises a shaft whereon said cam block freely slides without relative rotary motion; a crank in said shaft; and means for adjusting the position of said crank.

21. A bending machine as set forth in claim 19, wherein said means to adjust the cam block comprises a shaft whereon said cam block freely slides without relative rotary motion; a crank in said shaft; a longitudinally adjustable rod; and a connecting rod joining the crank to said adjustable rod.

22. A bending machine as set forth in claim 19, wherein said means to adjust the cam block comprises a shaft whereon said cam block freely slides without relative rotary motion; a crank in said shaft; a cylinder; a piston mounted therein; a connecting mechanism joining said piston to said crank; and means to operate said piston.

23. A bending machine as set forth in claim 19, wherein said means to adjust the cam block comprises a shaft whereon said cam shaft freely slides Without relative rotary motion; a crank in said shaft; a hydraulic cylinder; a fluid operated piston mounted therein; a connecting mechanism joining said piston to said crank; a remote hydraulic cylinder; a manually adjusted piston therein; and confined fluid between said adjusted piston and said fluid operated piston, whereby the fluid operated piston is moved in proportion to the manually adjusted piston whereby said cam block is turned.

HAROLD E. NEVERDAL. 

